Women in Tech: Despite Challenges, Momentum Building toward More Equitable Tech Workplace; Harvey Nash Survey Reports 41 Percent More Career Development Programs for Women in IT over Last Two Years

October 16, 2018

More needed to close pay gap and improve working environments

NEW YORK – October 16, 2018– More organizations are pursuing initiatives to increase the number of women working in technology, according to the third annual Harvey Nash Women in Technology: Building Momentumsurvey report. Thirty-one (31) percent of those surveyed said their organizations provide career development programs for women once they’ve been hired—a 41 percent increase from the previous two years. More than a quarter (29 percent) of respondents say their companies offer programs to support recruiting and hiring of women in technology. In addition, a year after the #MeToo movement was born, 43 percent of women say the spotlight is making the technology industry more welcoming.

“It’s encouraging to see more awareness toward gender equality and the practical applications of making it a reality in the technology workplace, but progress remains slow,” said Anna Frazzetto, President of Technology Solutions for Harvey Nash USA. “Companies are taking action to not only grow the number of women on tech teams, but to keep them there. Leaders are having long-overdue discussions about diversity and equal pay. Now, it’s up to companies and their workforces to take the steps necessary to continue to make change.”

Nearly half (46 percent) of respondents say that diversity and inclusion are truly part of their company’s DNA. Authenticity remains a question, though, with almost the same number (39 percent) saying those efforts seem more like “checking a box.” While companies are moving in the right direction, more needs to be done, particularly to close the pay gap and improve working environments between men and women in technology:

Even though 51 percent of women find working in technology financially rewarding, rising from 35 percent two years ago, there still remains a wide gap between men and women. Just 30 percent of women believe their company pays men and women equally, compared to 68 percent of men who believe the same. Those proportions remain similar across salary levels.

Despite 43 percent of women reporting the #MeToo movement has had a positive impact in the workplace, the number of women who say their work environment remains unwelcoming is still up year-over-year, moving from 30 percent last year to 35 percent this year.

This year’s Harvey Nash Women in Technologysurvey reveals far-reaching business implications of recruitment and career development programs for women, as failing to pursue such initiatives can directly impact retention:

One third of women (33 percent) cite an unsupportive environment as a deciding factor in leaving their last job, compared to 23 percent of men.

Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of women moved on in part due to unfair treatment, compared to 13 percent of men.

“Even the most well-meaning business leaders may exhibit an unconscious bias towards those who are more like the current team,” says Sean Gilligan, President, Technology Recruitment for Harvey Nash. “That’s why corporations must help their employees become comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations. We see a big jump in companies implementing programs to better support women, but it has to change company-wide. You have to really wantthe culture to change and put the hard work in to move beyond the awareness stage into meaningful progress.”

The technology industry’s reputation for high-pressure assignments and long hours are echoed in this year’s survey, as respondents ranked the demanding work environment as one of the top challenges of working in IT. In addition, 31 percent share that balancing other life commitments with work is a top weakness.

Work/life balance is a challenge for both genders, as 44 percent of men and 48 percent of women say that family responsibilites threaten to slow their careers. For women, the slowdown may be felt more acutely, though, as more than twice as many women as men say having a family translates into lost opportunities for advancement or equal pay, at 57 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

“The struggle for work/life balance in tech is pervasive. It doesn’t need to be a gender issue, it’s a familial issue,” said Leslie Vickrey, CEO and founder of ClearEdge Marketing and co-founder of ARA, a non-profit committed to attracting, retaining and advancing women in technology roles. “Companies need to support both men and women in their commitments outside of the office, whether it’s caring for an aging parent, paternal leave, or something else entirely. Through our ARA network, we are starting to see some changes, including increased paternity leave time and allowance for more flexible schedules, but we need to see more of this.”

For more information about the 2018 Harvey Nash Women in Technology: Building Momentumsurvey report or to request a copy, please email awarren@clearedgemarketing.comor click here to access the full report.

About the Survey

The 2018 Harvey Nash Women in Technology: Building Momentumsurvey of 681 women and men in technology was conducted in partnership with ARA, an organization whose goal is to help businesses increase the numbers and influence of women working in technology, while also helping women navigate IT career paths and challenges. The survey explores the differences between men and women in IT while also recognizing their similarities and shared pursuit of a rewarding IT work environment. It was conducted between August 1 through August 29, 2018, and surveyed IT professionals from junior level to the c-suite. Respondents represent small, mid and large-sized companies across a broad range of industries.

About Harvey Nash Inc.
Harvey Nash Inc. is the North American division of the Harvey Nash Group, a global professional recruitment firm and IT outsourcing service provider. Harvey Nash has helped over half the world’s leading companies recruit, source and manage the highly skilled talent they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive, global and technology driven world. With 2,500 employees in 36 locations across Europe, Asia and North America, Harvey Nash has the reach and resources of a global organization, and it fosters a culture of innovation and agility that empowers all employees across the world to respond to constantly changing client needs. Harvey Nash works with clients, both big and small, to deliver a portfolio of services: IT recruitment, IT outsourcing/offshoring and executive search. To learn more, please visit www.harveynashusa.com.Follow us: www.twitter.com/harveynashusaand www.facebook.com/harveynashusa.

About ARA

ARA is committed to attracting, retaining and advancing women in technology roles. By cultivating relationships via mentorship, events and programs, ARA helps businesses bolster the numbers and influence of women working and advancing in technology, while helping women navigate IT career paths and challenges. To learn more, please visit www.aramentors.com. Follow us: www.twitter.com/aramentorsand www.facebook.com/aramentors.